BB Book Club | July's Book Is...

[Portuguese Irregular Verbs] chronicles the comic misadventures of the endearingly awkward Professor Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, and his long-suffering colleagues at the Institute of Romantic Philology in Germany.

Portuguese Irregular Verbs, by Alexander McCall Smith

The title of this little 128-page book by Alexander McCall Smith (author of the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series) has everything and also nothing to do with story.*

The book tells the tales of Professor Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, or rather, snippets of his life as an academic in philology (study of written language and word), and the adventures he's been thrown into over the years. While it's not really one story from start to finish, with a beginning, middle, and end, a plot and subplot, a twist and some kind of conclusion, Portuguese Irregular Verbs is written in such a way that it's a collection of mini stories, events, or scenes from the Professor's life.

"In Portuguese Irregular Verbs, Professor Dr von Igelfeld learns to play tennis, and forces a college chum to enter into a duel that results in a nipped nose. He also takes a field trip to Ireland where he becomes acquainted with the rich world of archaic Irishisms, and he develops an aching infatuation with a Dentist fatale. Along the way, he takes two ill-fated Italian sojourns, the first merely uncomfortable, the second definitely dangerous." - Goodreads

While I found this book a little hard to get into at first, as soon as you're a chapter in you get used to the quirkiness of the writing, and the wit and humour threaded throughout. It's definitely a short read that you could get through in a couple of hours, and is very enjoyable. Just remember it is quirky, and it is a tad ridiculous at points.

If you'd like to read along with us in this month's Book Club pick, grab up a copy from your local library or head over to Book Depository to buy one for yourself (and get free shipping worldwide). Once you've read the book, share your thoughts through this Google form, by the 20th of July.

You can also use the hashtag #bookshelfbookclub to share your book photos and thoughts with us too!

If this doesn't sounds like your type of book, never fear! August's book will be picked by Erin, so stayed tuned for the announcement later in July!

*'Portuguese Irregular Verbs' is the name of the book that the professor has written.